How To Read Literature Like A Professor Chapter Summary

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In Foster’s How to Read Literature like a Professor, chapter nine, he discusses the importance of understanding the allusions referenced in literature because it enhances one’s reading experience through a deeper understand of what the author is trying to say in his/her work. Lorraine Hansberry gives us a deeper understanding of her characters’ actions through Greek legend, Prometheus. Hansberry mentions Prometheus through George Murchison, who remarks “Good night, Prometheus!” (ii.i, 46) to a drunken, angry Walter. Prometheus was a Titan who was sentenced by Hephaestus to have his liver eaten by an eagle during the day, because he had betrayed Zeus by stealing fire back for humanity. George is joking that Walter is ruining his liver through his binge …show more content…
Near the end of the play, Prometheus can again be seen in Walter. Walter, in front of his son, stands brave in the face of adversity and refuses to sell their new house to their racist neighbors, and Mama is able to “grab her plant, and goes out for the last time” (iii.i, 92). Walter refuses to stand down to racism and helps his family hold on to their dream by refusing Lindner’s offer; seeing the white community trying to stop the Youngers from moving in as Zeus, who caused the human’s plight in the first place, and Walter Younger as Prometheus, gives a very profound meaning to the play’s conclusion—the white community has oppressed African-Americans, taking away their “fire”, and Walter Younger has just stood up to them and is placing his family into a better economic situation, giving them some of their fire